Head of a female mummy. Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, ca. 1550-1069 BC.
Organic material.
In good condition.
Provenance: Given by the Egyptian government in 1877 to Dr Christian Fenger. It remained in the Fenger family until 2013. Acquired from Jeffrey Shore by Circa Gallery in 2016 Exhibited: Ifergan Collection, Malaga (2018-2020)/ Feriarte, IFEMA (Madrid, 16-24 November 2019) / "Deciphering Ancient Egypt Tutankhamun", Casa de la Ciencia (Seville, 15/09/2019-15/07/2020).
Published: Nerón, Javier. Legionixhispana (2018, 24 July) "Cuando las momias eran objetos de regalo; Onda Cero radio, La Rosa de los Vientos, 16-11-2019; Cuarto Milenio, Cuatro TV, 1-12-2019.
Measurements: 23 cm.
Female mummy head belonging to the 18th Egyptian dynasty of the New Kingdom, one of the most valued from the historical-artistic point of view due to the political and religious reforms promoted by the pharaoh Akhenaten. It is a very rare and fine example of a woman with delicate features, preserving almost the entire surface of the skin, teeth and hair. Even the linen wrappings are partially in place (especially in the hair area). The nostrils (through which the brain would have been removed) are also clearly visible. One of the most important elements is that the cervical vertebra is still in perfect condition, which shows that the separation of the body was carried out with great care.
The Danish physician, Christian Fenger, worked in Alexandria and Cairo between 1875 and 1876, curing many children of eye infections. In 1877 he had to leave because of a lung disease due to the tropical climate and, in gratitude for his services, an Egyptian official gave him two mummies, but Fenger only took their heads with him. Dr. Fenger settled in the USA. After his death, the heads passed to his son Frederick and, when he died, to his grandson Christian, who decided to sell them.